CAF Confederation Cup: KCCA, Vipers eye group stage spots

2018-19 CAF CONFEDERATION CUP PLAYOFF ROUND

Sunday's return leg fixtures

By Joseph Kizza

@joekizza

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KAMPALA - Today presents the last opportunity for two of Uganda's top football clubs to advance to the group stage of the 2018-19 CAF Confederation Cup.

KCCA FC and Vipers SC will have to draw inspiration from the deepest barrels there ever are to progress as they face their toughest tests yet in the competition.

Vipers, playing away in Tunisia, will have to muster enough motivation to beat Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien in Sfax at 8pm Ugandan time. The two sides played out a goalless draw at Kitende in last week's first leg.

KCCA, meanwhile, returned from Congo Brazzaville with a three-goal burden, and will have to fashion a huge comeback against AS Otoho to secure a group-stage place at 4pm local time.

On paper, you could say the Venoms have an easier assignment - all they need to do is win or secure a any draw other than 0-0.

In contrast, Mike Mutebi's side, who will play at the StarTimes Stadium at Lugogo, have to win - but with a huge margin. They must score at least four goals without reply to make it through.

Anything short of four goals and the record 12-time Ugandan league champions will be done for.

ICYMI : Please take note of this Security notice as you make your way to StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo this evening. #KCCAFC pic.twitter.com/eFAIOBs3db

— KCCA FC (@KCCAFC) January 20, 2019

'We are well prepared'

On Friday, KCCA's tactician Mutebi admitted at a press conference that it will be a hard game, but that his side have "a lot of belief that they can do it".

"We are well prepared. We are going to do it the hard way. But we have the capacity to correct the results. My players have a lot of belief that they can do it," he said.

"The coach may believe and try to inculcate that belief in players, but when the players don't appreciate it, it's difficult. But now they believe - and they have gathered enough experience to know how to negotiate such a tie.

"It's going to be hard, but it is achievable."


'Fearless' Vipers raring to go

Venoms relaxed at the Ibis Hotel in Sfax ahead of tomorrow's CAF Confederation Cup match against Tunisia's 🇹🇳 CS Sfaxien at the Tareb Mhiri stadium.#CSSVIP #TotalCAFCC pic.twitter.com/rOi7aNe5HP

— Vipers Sports Club (@VipersSC) January 19, 2019

Meanwhile, Vipers interim head coach Michael Ouma says his side have one more shot at redemption - and today is the right time to "make things right".

"We have had some people writing us off after failing to win the home game. However, this is the right opportunity for you to make things right. Take the game as a platform to showcase your talents rather than a threat to what you are capable of doing," he told his players.

Ouma took up the reins at the end of last year after the Kitende-based club, the Ugandan premier league's current holders, dismissed Mexican Javier Martinez Espinoza.

Also related to this story

CAF Confederation Cup: Otoho 3 KCCA 0

CAF Confederation Cup: Vipers 0 Sfaxien 0